Grave vault



May 6, 1930. Q s, RlKER-r 1,757,389

GRAVE VAULT Filed Aug. 19, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l l wg,

May 6, 1930. c. s. RIKERT 1,757,389

GRAVE VAULT Filed Aug. 19. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mmx Patented May 6, 1930 Parent rica CLARK S. RIKERT, GF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNA GRAVE VAULT Application filed August 19, 1929. Serial N'o. 386,950.

This invention relates to'vaults, and more particularly to vaults for the reception of coiiins while in the graves, the primary object of the invention being to provide a vault which will protect the coffin and its contents,

against the elements.

An important object of the invention is to provide a vault of this character having a g cover formed with beveled edges to engage the beveled edges of the body of the vault to insure a iiuid tight connection between the cover and body portion of the vault.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for releasing the cover ofthe vault after the vault has been lowered into the grave, so that the cover may fall to its closed position.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a vault of this character con structed of plastic material such as concrete, reinforced to provide an exceptionally strong and durable body portion.

`With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within t1 ne scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

3,5 Figure 1 is a perspective view of al vault constructed in accordance with the invention.

vFiinire 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the vault.

t0 Figure 3 is a plan view of the vault, a por tion of the cover being broken away.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view through the vault.

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the vault, the cover being shown in a partially open position.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the body portion of the vault, which is box-like in formation, is indicated generally by the reference character 5, and as shown the body portion is` constructed by plastic material such as concrete or the like.

The reference character 6 designatesreinforcing rods that are arranged in suitable spaced relation with each other, throughout the length of the body portion, the lengths of the rods being such that the ends thereof extend upwardly at 'the ends of the body portion, the extremities of the end portions of the rods terminating in spaced relation with C the upper edge of the body portion.

Reinforcing rods 7 extend through the sides and ends of the body portion, and are disposed in vertical spaced relation with each other as clearlyshown by Figure Q of the drawings. Embedded in the sides and bottom of the body portion, are reinforcing rods S which are of lengths to extend through the bottom the ends thereof being extended upwardiy as at 9.

Handles l() extend laterally from the sides of the body portion, the inner ends of the handles being embedded in the concrete material during the molding of the body portion. These handles constitute grips for permitting the vault to be lifted, and at the same time aiford means whereby ropes or cables may be attached to the body portion so that the body portion may be lowered into the grave. i

Embedded in each corner of the body portion, are vertical angle bars 1l which act to brace the body portion at the corners to further insure a strong and durable structure. The upper edge of the body portion is inclined inwardly providing an inclined surface to cooperate with the beveled edge 12 of the cover 13,4which cover is also constructed of concrete material and reinforced by the longitudinal metallic reinforcing rods 14, there being provided transverse reinforcing rods 15 arranged in spacedrelation to insure a rigid construction.

The hinges form an important feature of the invention, because they permit the cover to slide rearwardly when it is elevated, providing a clearance for the hands and arms of the persons handling the coiiin in placing the coiiin in the vault. These hinges include bars 16 having laterally and downwardlyv extended portions 17 that extend through lopenings. or eyes in the bars 18 that are embedded in the cover 13.

The bars 16 are placed in the concrete material prior to the setting of the material, so that they will be securely fastened within the body portion.

Embedded in theV upper surface of the cover 15, are eye bolts 19 in which the pin 2O slides, the pin 2() being of a length to extend beyond one end of the cover to pass into an opening formed at the upperend of the cover brace 21, the cover brace also includingra lower section 22 pivotally connected to one `end of the body portion. Thus it will be seen that when the cover is raised, it will be held in its raised position. v e

An eye bolt 21 is arranged adjacent'to thev eye bolts 19, and provides a guide for the rope or cable 22 which is of a length to extend to the top of the grave, so that it may be pulled,

to draw the pin from its position in the opening of the cover brace 21, allowing the cover to fall to its closed position. A cable 23 is connected to the eye bolt 24 which is embedded in the cover, so that the cover may be lowered slowly, after it yhasbe'en released.

From the foregoing it will be seen thatV due to the construction shown` and described, I have provided a vault which may be used in a grave to protect the coiiin against water, to the end that the coffin will last indefinitely.

I claim l:

1. A vault of the 'class described, comprising a box-like body portion having an yinwardly inclined upper edge, a cover having a beveled edge, hingedly connected with the body portion,the beveled edge of the cover adapted to rest on the inclined edge of the body portion to provide a Huid tight connection between the cover and body portion, a cover brace connected with the body portion and cover for holding the cover in its open position, and means for releasing the brace to allow the cover to move to its closed position.

2. yA vault ofthe class described, comprising a box-like body portion, a cover hingedly connected with the body portion, a pin slidably mounted on the cover, a cover brace pivotally connected with the vbody portion and having an opening adjacent to its upper end toreceive the pin to secure the coverl brace to lthe cover, meansfor operating the pin to cause the pin to disengage the cover brace to release the coverand means forrestricting downward movement of the cover.

3. A vault of the class described, comprising a body portion, a cover hingedlyconnected with the body portion, a cover brace connected with the body portion, slidable means carried by the cover and engaging'the cover brace for connecting vvthe cover to the cover brace', a rope connected with the cover to permit the cover to be lowered gradually, and handles on the-body portion.

4. A vault of the class described, comprising a body portion, said body portion having an inwardly inclined upper edge, a cover having a beveled edge conforming to the shape of theinwardly inclined edge to provide a close it between the cover and body portion, a

cover brace for holding the cover in an open position, and means operated from a point remote from the body portion, for releasing the cover brace to allow the cover to move to its closed position. 

